AIIMS-Delhi introduces AI-based mental health app for students; aims to tackle suicides, stigma

'Never Alone': Screening, expert consultations to cost just 70 paisa per student per day

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NEW DELHI: AIIMS-Delhi on Wednesday launched an Artificial Intelligence-based mental health and wellness programme to tackle suicidal tendencies among students and minimise the stigma surrounding it.

The "Never Alone" app, launched on World Suicide Prevention Day, focuses on screening, intervention and post-intervention follow-up for college and university students, said Dr Nand Kumar, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS-Delhi.

Besides the Delhi centre, the programme was also launched at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Shahdara.

"Never Alone" is a web-based, highly secured app that can be accessed round the clock via WhatsApp, Dr Kumar said, adding that students will have virtual and offline access to consultations by mental health and wellness experts through it.